***Says the choice is “a round peg in a round hole”
A former Niger State Commissioner for Information, Culture and Tourism and chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Jonathan Vatsa, has described the appointment of retired Chief of Defence Staff, General Christopher Musa, as Nigeria’s Minister of Defence as the “best decision” taken so far by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Speaking on Thursday in Minna at the venue of the ongoing eight-day retreat for newly appointed commissioners, elected council chairmen, permanent secretaries and special advisers, Vatsa said the widespread positive reaction to Musa’s appointment shows Nigerians believe he is “the right man for the job.”
“This is one of President Tinubu’s best appointments so far. Musa’s appointment is based on merit, and Nigerians will soon heave a sigh of relief over the worsening security challenges,” Vatsa said.
According to him, the country is in dire need of firm and strategic action to tackle insecurity, noting that the entire world recognises the severity of Nigeria’s security situation.
“The country is at a crossroads. It feels like the entire nation is under siege. Terrorists have forced Nigerians to change their lifestyle. People have used their life savings to pay ransom. Farmers can’t go to the farm, schools are shut down, highways are unsafe, and village markets are no longer secure,” he said.
Vatsa further claimed that the recent upsurge in terrorist attacks may be politically motivated, aimed at undermining President Tinubu ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“That is why I warned earlier this year that the President must act fast, so his second-term ambition is not truncated like that of former President Goodluck Jonathan,” he added.
The APC chieftain, however, cautioned that while appointing Musa is a commendable step, the real test lies in adequately supporting him with the resources needed to deliver results.
“No matter how competent you are, you must be equipped for the job. This is where state governors must also come in,” Vatsa said, urging states battling insecurity to actively collaborate with the Defence Ministry rather than leaving the burden to the Federal Government alone.
